The Role and Definition of Expectation in Acousmatic Music… Some Starting Points…

My current research is on the role and definition of expectation within acousmatic music. Within this paper I will give an overview of my research so far. My research is based around an investigation of various methods and strands of electroacoustic music- in particular, Stereo and multi-channel composition tape works. I feel that there are several key elements that can heighten a listener’s aural experience in a listening situation involving electroacoustic and in particular acousmatic music. These elements being the effective use of expectation and techniques that contribute to this - such as gesture and texture - and the ability of a composer to write effectively so that the piece can stand up well in different situations and, possibly most importantly- the expectation within a piece of electroacoustic music.This paper then sets out to introduce some of the basic ideas that are fundamental to expectation and its existence within music, and suggest how these may apply to Acousmatic Music in particular.